• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • About
  • Symposium
  • Hymnal
  • Jogues Missal
  • Site Map
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Three Common Misconceptions about Chant

Andrew Leung · February 11, 2016

CTL 3 Common Misconception about Chant 1 S THE LENTEN SEASON begins, I am sure that many parishes are starting to use the Missa Jubilate Deo as the Mass Ordinaries setting. And there are also some churches that I know that sing the English chant from the Roman Missal. Both of those settings were mentioned in Bishop Doerfler’s Instruction. In the Instruction to his diocese, the Bishop of Marquette asked that Gregorian chant, both the Propers and the Ordinaries, be brought to parishes and schools. I think that Bishop Doerfler is taking is a very brave step to restore the sacredness of the Liturgy and to reintroduce people to the Catholic Tradition.

Bishop Doerfler has already addressed the most common complaint that one gets from parishioners: “I can’t sing along”. A lot of people like to participate externally and to be able to sing with the choir. (Regarding that, I think there is a deeper problem that has to do with “prayer”, but I will save that for another post.) The bishop’s Instruction requires the active participation of the faithful in singing along with the Ordinaries and the Communion Antiphon. He is also asking the diocesan music director to train other musicians in the diocese so that they can assist the faithful.So the people will “sing along” with the choir at intervals during ever Mass. However, it is my observation that many people still see Gregorian chant in negative ways because of three misconceptions they have. If we can clear up these misunderstandings, it will be much easier for people to fall in love with chant.

“Chant is slow and long” – This is a common perception. The congregation, and sometimes even the choir, tend to drag out the chant. Many people think that is the nature of Gregorian chant. My suggestion would be to set a pace that is close to the pace people would recite the phrases, don’t encourage long pauses between phrases, and to sing with good diction. If we sing well, Gregorian chant will not be perceived as tediously slow and drawn-out..

“Chant is plain and flat, they all sound the same” – I think this misconception arises from the overuse of a certain chant settings like Mass VIII and Mass XVIII. If your congregation is already comfortable with these settings, maybe it is time to try other settings. There are other beautiful chant melodies in the Kyriale. There are also a variety of psalm tones to choose for the Liturgy of the Hours or simple Propers. For the choir, you may consider working with them on the enunciation, like where the accented syllables are; or where to pause; or what needs to be lengthened. These changes should dispel the notion that all Gregorian chant sounds the same, while exposing the congregation to various beautiful settings.

“Chant is penitential” – As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, many parishes chant the Ordinaries of the Mass during Advent and Lent, the penitential seasons, and so many people connect chant to penance. Gregorian chant is not a penance! It is true that chant can express sorrow, but it can also express other emotions. For example, the Gloria and the Sanctus are joyful hymns of praise. This misunderstanding can be addressed in homilies or through catechesis in other ways. However, the best course is to sing chant outside of Advent and Lent.

TRULY THINK THAT people will accept and appreciate Gregorian chant more easily if we can dispel these three misconceptions. Please feel free to leave comments or share your suggestions on our Facebook Page.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe to the CCW Mailing List

About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

For the Upcoming Choir Season!

Last week, I posted an SATB choral setting of the SANCTUS in a ‘contemporary’ style. You might want to consider this piece for two reasons: (1) It’s extremely brief; (2) Free rehearsal videos are available for each individual part. The piece is by Father Lhoumeau.

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • “Sunday Vespers” (22 pages)

When an organist accompanies Vespers, there is no time to think. It’s one thing after another: Bam – Bam – Bam. And that’s what makes Vespers difficult to accompany; there’s hardly even time to check the key signature for each piece! Therefore, although it’s far from perfect, I’m releasing this 22-page booklet:

PDF Download • SUNDAY VESPERS ACCOMPANIMENT

As time goes on, I will explain why I believe this booklet is important, my hopes for it, and why I selected the official edition, directly from the Vesperale Romanum. In spite of its imperfections, creating this (draft) booklet required much more effort than I had anticipated.

—Jeff Ostrowski
11 July 2022 • FEEDBACK

Someone who heard the CCW plainsong recordings with NOH accompaniment says: “For years I have travelled the continents and crossed the oceans of Gregorian chant in search of a composition and interpretation as sublime as this. The text and the melody are interwoven in a game of mirrors with the interpreters, the singer and the instrumentalist, so as to confer delicacy on the jubilation. The organ is soft, humble. This is what we hear from the singer. These artists have come together to produce beauty. In 1903, Pope Pius X, by motu proprio, restored Gregorian chant in the Latin Church. In his words: Sacred music must possess, to an eminent degree, the qualities proper to the liturgy, and notably the sanctity and delicacy of form, whence another characteristic spontaneously results, universality. I stress: the holiness and delicacy of forms result in universality, time and place. That is to say, sometimes the beauty of human hands gently caresses the face of the Eternal.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I, (Name), do declare that I do believe that there is not any Transubstantiation in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or in the elements of the bread and wine, at or after the consecration thereof by any person whatsoever.”

— ‘From England’s Anti-Catholic Oath (1673)’

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Salve Regina” (32 Versions)
  • For the Upcoming Choir Season!
  • The continuity and vulnerability of the Novus Ordo
  • “Me? A Singer?” – Harrison’s Personal Testimony
  • Need Easy Organ Pieces? Try This Little-Known Composer

Copyright © 2022 Corpus Christi Watershed · Gabriel Lalemant on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.